This Blog is about the Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Team, the Western Hockey League and hockey in general. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Seattle Thunderbirds or their management, or the Western Hockey League or their management.

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Tyler Hunnex - I started/founded/began Let's Go Birds in September of 2007 after feeling like my favorite Junior Hockey team needed more discussion and analysis. I'm statistically minded, forever frustrated by the Tbirds and my all-time favorite player was #10. I think I'm funny and my writing would probably disagree. Follow me on Twitter @TylerHunnex.

Jon Whiting - Jon joined the Let's Go Birds team in the summer of 2013. His passion for the Thunderbirds is as big as any fan I've ever met. His two kids are named after former Tbirds and his favorite all-time players were Patrick Marleau and Olaf "Ole" Kjenstad, who he swears is the best pure scoring Tbird ever.

Now just wait a minute Anonymous 9:54! There is no way the future looks bright. Why, according to all the hockey experts without hockey jobs, our two 2012, 16 yr old first round picks are already "busts"! Barzal hasn't even played in a WHL game yet and he is going to go down as the Ryan Leaf of T-birds draft picks, outplayed by a 5th rd pick who also has yet to play in a WHL game. And Kolesar can't even walk without tripping, let alone skate. It's a wonder that as a 15 yr old he ever found his way to the ice to play in Games 6 and 7 of the playoffs last year, taking a regular shift in overtime of game 7! Oh well, there's always the next millennium!

I agree with many posters that Kolesar could turn into something. He's clearly not ready for prime time yet. Maybe do like they did with Lucic and send him to Junior A for seasoning. If he turns into a Klarc Wilson type player, then fine.

Barzal looked goo, but he better look good. Had a cherry assignment all camp, flanked by our best vets and getting the starting center gig in each scrimmage. Good on Pederson for outplaying him this camp while working with much less.

Thats not a negative - we should all be happy to have players the caliber of Pederson and Barzal and maybe Kolesar will turn into a valuable asset down the road.

Not to mention our back end with Bear & osterman. All in all, the 2012 draft looks to be a huge success, even if (especially if) Barzal is not the next RNH.

to be clear, I didnt mean Pederson had no talent to play with. He obviously had some talent in the morning game today and nice to see him finally playing his true position.

I was refering to the camp overall, where all players were juggled and shuffled EXCPET the golden boy, who was a fixture as a starting center and always with some talent by his side - usually the best available

Anon 12:44I liked what I saw from Osterman yesterday when I attended as well. Do you or anyone else know his status/interest level? Is he here just checking things out or is he trying to make the team as a 16?

Just read the latest comments. Anon 10.35 and 11.22 are the same.....the same DNA. No knowledge about hockey, never played the game[most likely] trying to cover his shortcomings etc,etc. He might be twins because one person can't be that ignorant. He definitely not a TBIRD fan.

It would have been interesting to see Gropp in camp going head to head with Barzal. That said, I'm not sure what it would mean for this roster. I think if we had Gropp (or Gambrell)you would have to trade one of the other vets like Hickman or Sheen. On that note, does anyone think we could package an 18 y/o d-man with the rights to Gropp in order to snag a goalie?Also, as anon 1:21 asked, what is the status of Osterman if anyone knows?

Only a moron thinks Pederson is better then Barzal and that Pederson is more of a lock to make this team then Barzal. I think we know who has never played the game and has no hockey IQ and it is you. But thanks for the chuckle. The circus is coming to town and they could use another clown. You should apply.

I dont think anyone said pederson is better than Barzal. Certainly too early to tell which one is better, but Pederson did hsve the better camp and was able to do it without the benefits bestowed upon Barzal. Absolutely agree with poster who said Pederson had rare ability to make those around him better. Barzal not out of place at all and probably should also make the roster this year

10:35 said "It's a wonder that as a 15 yr old he (Kolesar) ever found his way to the ice to play in Games 6 and 7 of the playoffs last year, taking a regular shift in overtime of game 7! "

Can you point me in the direction of anything that suggests that was a good move? As I recall, he looked terribly out of place, we lost both games and all Kolesar did during his shifts was cost us a goal against us.

There's a reason Barzal is playing with the better, older forwards...because that's where he'll be playing during the regular season, since he'll be one of the better players. Pederson should make the team but is 4th line/healthy scratch material at the moment.

Ladies and dudes, I love this blog and this forum, please don't come here to do stuff like this:"Just read the latest comments. Anon 10.35 and 11.22 are the same.....the same DNA. No knowledge about hockey, never played the game[most likely] trying to cover his shortcomings etc,etc. He might be twins because one person can't be that ignorant. He definitely not a TBIRD fan"We don't care about you or the other guy. If someone says something you disagree with then just say that and move on. Please, this blog is not about you.On a different note,weighing in on the whole Pederson-Barzal thing, let me say that Barzal wins hands down because the maturity of his play is incredible. Doesn't waste energy, skates smoothly, makes great passes and plays with the kind of vision only a select few ever have. To be sure though, I am excited about Pederson also.

Barzal is really good, but Pederson has that rare gift of making those around him better. He simply sees the game at a level that only a select few players ever do. Very mature beyond husbyears. Quite possibly the steal of the 2012 draft. The future if the franchise definitely in good hands with Orders on and surrounding him with a supporting cast of Barzal, Bear etc. Should set us up for the next 4 years

They both played pretty evenly I thought (Pederson & Barzal), but you have to give your first overall pick some rope. I have no problem with that. Having a guy like Pederson pushing him will help in the long run. I agree they both look like they will be here a solid 4 years, as neither one if them is a McDavid or even RNH. Both very high end WHL prospects and we are lucky to have them both.

Bear and Osterman equally impressive on the back end.

I agree we need to cut Kolesar some slack. Not everyone is cut out to play in the WHL at 16. Let's give him another year in midget and see what he looks like next August.